Improvement in mole-plows



WALL, ROBERTSi & CARTER.

Mole Plow.

No. 27,751. y Patented Apr. 3, 1860.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEI-CE.

A. L. O. WALL, G. ROBERTS, AND M. S. CARTER, OE DEOATUR, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MOLLE-PLOws.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 27,751, dated April 3, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, A. LITTLE ONE WALL, GEORGE ROBERTS, and MILO S. CARTER, all of Decatur', in the county of Macon and State of Illinois,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mole-Blows, of which the following is a full, clear, and exa-ct description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which makes part of this specification, and which represents in perspective our improved molc,together with the shank orcolter to which it is attached.

In forming subterranean drains Iby means of a mole-plow the shank which carries the mole must necessarily extend from the drain to the surface of the ground, in order that it maybe attached to the motive power by which it is carried through the soil to form the drain. This necessity being unavoidable, it becomes a greatdesideratum to devise some means by which the slit thus made could be et'fectually closed after the passage of the colter, for if this is not done the drain soon becomes choked up or destroyed by the percolation ofthe surface water into it causing the roof or sides of the drain to crumble and fall. Numerous dcvices have been employed for the attainment of this end, but yet none `of them, it seems, have succeeded in accomplishing the object in as perfecta manneras we deem desirable. We have therefore invented an instrument which attains this result in a highly satisfactory manner; and our invention consists in making the mole ofthe plow of an ovoid shape, it being caused to advance small end foremost through the ground, and inserting into its upper side, near its forward end,V two crescent-shaped ribs or flanges, as shown in the drawing, whereby a small portion of earth is scooped from the sides of the drain and carried backward to the large end ot' the mole, by the action of which it is pressed by a trowel-like motion into the slit left by the shank or colter, which slit is thereby effectually closed. The flanges, moreover, serve the additional purpose of counteracting the tendency of the mole to rise to the surface. We have also demonstrated by eX- periment that a mole` of the configuration employed by us can be operated with an expenditure of power much less than that required by one of any other form with which we are acquainted.

In the accompanying drawing the shank or colter and mole only are shown.

The shank A may be secured to the beam of the plow in any suitable manner. We prefer to make this colter with a slight projection or flange, a, at its bottom,having found such form to answer a very good purpose.

The mole B is of an ovoid shape, and its smaller end is connected to the heel ot the colterAby atlexible link, O, of sufficient strength to preserve the union between the two under all circumstances. Crescent-shaped ribs b are inserted into, cast on, or otherwise secured to the mole in the manner shown in the drawing.

The operation of the machine is as t'ollows: Motion is communicated to the shank A by means of any of those devices well known to persons skilled in the construction of sub. terranean drains. As the colter advances through the soil it draws the mole after it and leaves a slit behind it'extending from the bottom ot' the drain to the surface. The mole crowds theloose earth away from its path and compacts it against the sides of the perforationwhich it makes during its progress. The ribs prevent any tendency ou the part of the mole to rise, giving it what is technically called suck. They also tend to prevent any lateral deviation of the mole from its path, and as it advances scoop out a small portion of the earth and convey it loosely backward and upward to the larger diameter of the mole, by the action of which it is pressed closely into the slit, which is thus closed etiectually, and the percolation ot'the surface wateralniost e11- tirely prevented.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The ovoid-shaped mole,in combination with the scooping-anges, substantially as herein described, for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.

A. L. O. WALL. GEORGE ROBERTS. M. S. CARTER.

Witnesses JAMES MOWILLIAs, IsAAc FREEsE, Jr. 

